Support Vulnerable Children in Monze, Zambia

I have just returned from a two month visit to Zambia – most of which was spent at Monze. This gave me a good opportunity to meet Mrs. Sianga, the staff and students of PIZZ School and talk about the issues and progress made at the school.

It is always a delight to visit the school and see the bright happy and confident students. This year the children are looking healthier as a result of the food they are now receiving each day. The fact that the food makes such a difference, demonstrates the difficult lives these children live. I was able to talk to a number of students who are being sponsored through Hands Around the World – both current students and some who have moved on to local secondary schools. It is always interesting to hear about their ambitions – many want to be teachers, doctors and nurses, but Gideon is keen to become a pilot - flying all around the world! I love to think that, if I am still around in 20 years, he will fly me to Zambia or back home! It is in order to make such dreams come true that we are supporting this project.

Meeting the routine costs is a major issue for the school. There are never sufficient books and other teaching materials. The provision of food is clearly very important and currently the funds sent specifically for this purpose are insufficient.

It has been possible for the new site to be fenced, though metal posts are needed as the wooden ones are quickly eaten by termites! A strong room has been constructed at the school to enable exams to take place there – this will save the disruption and the extra costs involved in taken students to other schools to sit their exams. It is hoped that approval will be granted for next year.

It is clear that the school provides so much more than just a centre for learning. Voluntary care givers support the school staff to check on children facing particular difficulties, and additional help and counselling is provided. Without the school many of the children would have very little hope, but instead they know there is a chance to be someone – to be able to support themselves and provide a better life for their families. This gives them a sense of value and dignity, so important for all of us, which otherwise most would lack.

This project deserves all the support it can get. I know that every penny is being well spent and can vouch for the difference it is making to the lives of the young students. Thank you for your generosity.

The hard work by the teachers and students over the years has been rewarded with good results in the grade 9 examinations. 19 students passed the exams and were accepted at local secondary schools – more than half of the grade 9 students. Considering the difficulties faced by the children and the limited resources at the school, this is a remarkable achievement. Each year the results have been improving. With the help of our supporters the school is making a huge difference to these children and with your further support even greater things will be achieved.

Mrs. Sianga wants to continue to help to these children so they can complete their education and have a better chance to provide properly for themselves and their families. One former student, Mawini, achieved the top marks at the local Secondary High School and is currently applying to university where she hopes to study medicine and eventually become a doctor. We will follow her progress and back Mrs. Sianga in her quest to change the lives of these children. 

The past few months have been very difficult for the families in and around Monze. The harvest last year was very poor resulting in high food prices. People have told me that there has been a lot of hunger in the area. The small lunches that the school has been able to provide have therefore taken on even more significance. In addition the garden has produced vegetables to support the children's diet. Mr Olden Hamabibi (headteacher) writes “The garden has improved the lives of the orphans”.

I will have the pleasure of visiting Monze again within two weeks and will stay in Monze until June. I will talk to the students and teachers and hope to bring more stories demonstrating how lives are being changed. I look forward to seeing the smiling faces and being entertained by the talented students. There is so much potential within these children, we must do our best to ensure that it is realised.